Blinking & Clicking
Welcome to two innovative strategies for helping unsociable shelter cats break out of their shells! Dubbed the Blinking & Clicking set of strategies, these techniques are based off of actual research. The techniques are detailed in illustrated poster format below with more detailed instructions beneath each poster. You can download them for free as PDF’s here, or in the Downloads section!
Download the free Blinking Strategy Poster PDF!
The Slow Blinking Strategy
The act of slow blinking is often seen as a sign cats trust the humans around them. This strategy is based off a study conducted in Sussex, England, where cats who were more willing to engage in slow blinking showed a higher rate of adoptions.
DISCLAIMER: This strategy was developed as one of two potential methods for improving the trust shelter cats have in people around them. However, cats are incredibly sensitive and intelligent animals, and as such it is impossible to say whether this strategy will work with all cats under your care. Feel free to extend the time beyond two weeks if you feel the need. Remember to be patient with your cats.
Set up a controlled space where you and your feline counterpart can be uninterrupted.
The cat should be in an enclosed space that is comfortable for them.
Their typical cages should work for this, however if the enclosures are large and they spend too much time in the back and far from you, it would be best to move them to a smaller encloser where they won’t be so far away.
Sit in front of the cat and make sure you are either at eye-level with them, or at the very least you can look each other directly in the eye.
Once they are looking at you, attempt to interact with them by slowly narrowing and closing your eyes towards the cat.
If the cat doesn’t look at you immediately or turns to look away during the process, feel free to call their attention back to you by calling their name or through some other method. Be sure not to spook them with loud noises, however.
Repeat the slow blinking action with the cat over the course of one to two minutes.
Make notes about the cat’s willingness to respond with their own slow blinking to keep track of your progress with them.
Reward the cat for their patience and participation with a snack!
Repeat this process at least once per day for 10 days to two weeks. For most cats you should see a noticeable improvement in their willingness to slow blink with you by the end of the two-week period. This also will hopefully improve their trust in you and the people around you.
Give this strategy a try over the course of 10 days to two weeks:
Download the free Clicking Strategy Poster PDF!
The Clicker Training Strategy
Cats are sensitive animals and those who are stuck in shelters for extended periods of time may see a reduction in activity levels due to stress and anxiety. This strategy is based off a study conducted in a RSPCA shelter in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, where clicker training was used to reduce inactivity and encourage trust and openness with timid and unsociable cats.
DISCLAIMER: This strategy was developed as a potential method for fostering improved activity levels in particularly timid, anxious, or unsociable shelter cats. Given that cats are incredibly sensitive, independent, and intelligent animals, however, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that this strategy will work for all cats under your care. Still, if this strategy can help even some of them break out of their shells and increase their positive interactions with people, that means even more of your shelter cats have significantly improved their adoption chances.
Use a larger area for training to help reduce stress. A place the size of a room should work.
Allow them to have hiding places any all their necessary amenities such as a litter box, scratch post, toys, and so on.
Be vigilant for indicators of stress such as crying or attempts to hide. Always respect the cat’s boundaries.
This strategy operates under the concept of positive reinforcement where they will be rewarded with food for displaying the desired behavior.
Before you begin, it’s recommended you observe each cat’s behavior for a few days. Make note of anything that stands out, such as their willingness to explore, playfulness, inactivity, and so on.
Each training session should last around 10 minutes.
A room-sized space providing hiding spots and essentials (litter box, scratch post, toys) to reduce stress during training.
Snacks and food for rewards during training.
Take a few days prior to training to observe each cat, noting behaviors like exploration, playfulness, and inactivity.
Before starting, here are some things to consider:
The Clicker Training
For your first two sessions the clicker needs to become a conditioned reinforcer.
Click near the cat before immediately presenting it with food as a reward.
Repeat several times throughout the first two sessions. By the end of the second session the cat should start to anticipate being given food after hearing the click.
In the third session, increase the distance between you and the cat by a short way before clicking.
The cat will need to walk towards you if it wants the food reward.
Feel free to add vocal cues such as calling their name.
Click again when they are close enough that you can give them their reward, further reinforcing the desired behavior.
Note: for extremely fearful or aggressive cats—especially those that hide—it may be necessary to toss them their food. Be sure to toss the food to a spot that requires them to move towards you, if even only a little.
Gradually increase the distance between yourself and the cat in subsequent training sessions.
Observe the cat as long as you need to, occasionally calling their name.
When the cat moves towards the food, use the clicker to continue to reinforce the desired behavior.
Continue to increase the distance between yourself and the cat in further training sessions for at least two weeks’ time.
Your goal is to encourage the cat to approach you from the back of the enclosure to the very front of it by the end of training.
Observe and make note of any changes and improvements to behavior.
If you notice positive changes but they are slow to take, feel free to take more time for the training.
By the end of the clicker training, most cats should display a marked improvement in their willingness to explore, play, and be socially active.
